Blue Sapphires in History: Legends and Myths Surrounding the Gem

Posted on August 17th, 2023 05:55 PM

Few gems have gathered attention throughout history, and blue sapphire stone is one of them. It is one of the longest-known gemstones in the world, loved for its dark blue hue and many astrological benefits. 

Times immemorial, the classic blue sapphire gemstones have been attached to various lore. Many beliefs surround these precious gemstones, one of which is their association with planet Saturn. Wearing this gem will bring the blessings of Saturn aka Shani to its wearer. 

Another common myth that surrounds the gem is that sapphires are just blue. There is a myriad of colors in which sapphire gemstones come in. The gemstone's chemical composition includes trace elements which result in a wide variety of colors. Coloured and even colorless sapphires enchant the onlookers like no other. 

Concerning the same, this blog features the magical allure of blue sapphire stones. We will learn more about the myths, legends and interesting stories about these blue gems. 

Sapphire and Its Allure 

This blue gemstone from the corundum family is famous for its durability and exclusive brilliance, which makes it a perfect choice for engagement and wedding rings. Sapphires as a family are attractive stones and are often used to make trending jewelry and decorative items. The coloured sapphires other than blue colour are termed 'fancy sapphires.' Star sapphires and colour-change sapphires are exclusively known for their phenomenal appearance. The star-like effect on the surface of the star sapphires and the rare colour-changing attribute of other sapphire varieties have gained immense popularity. 

From the stone's powerful resemblance to dignity to its modern-day popularity among fashion enthusiasts, it has a captivating presence. People since ancient times have been wearing sapphires as jewelry as well as presenting them to their loved ones as tokens of friendship and love. 

The Fascination Of Blue Sapphires In Ancient Civilization 

Blue sapphire meaning in history have been the foundation of numerous beliefs. The stone is associated with numerous fascinating stories in the past. 

These gemstones name originated from the word 'Sapphire, ' meaning precious stone on earth. 

As per some ancient references, the word used for these gems was “Sappheiros” which meant blue gems. Now, it is believed that it was a word meant commonly for blue stones which also includes other common blue gems like Lapis Lazuli and Tanzanite

The other name for the gem comes from the Sanskrit word 'Sanipriyah,' which means ‘Sacred to Saturn’. 

The ancient Greeks, Persians, and Egyptians believed this stone was effective to ward off evil. The gemstones have been linked to influencing spirits and possess mystical powers. The 'King of Solomon' had an inscribed sapphire that portrayed a seal. This carved sapphire was believed to be robust and gave the king supreme powers over spirits in elements of nature. 

Blue Sapphire

Blue Sapphire Mythology - Tales & Folklore

The history of blue sapphire stones is rich and there are various superstitions around the gem. Here are some of the many legends of blue sapphire gemstones: 

In the Bible, it is mentioned as a sacred stone. The Ten Commandments given to the Mosses were sapphire tablets. The star sapphire with the 'star effect' was known as the Stone of Destiny, where each line represents faith, destiny, and hope. 

As per Christian mythology, these lines forming a star were thought to ward off evil spirits. So, the star sapphires were used as talismans protecting the wearer from illness and harm. 

In an ancient Hindu text, Garuda Purana, there is a story that says that when God defeated a powerful monster, his body parts scattered and fell on Earth. His teeth became the pearls of seas, bones became diamonds and eyes became the sapphires.

Blue sapphire was associated with various mythology in the past. As per Persian lore, the earth rests upon a giant sapphire. According to their mythological tale, the stone reflected the sky as both resembled their colour. 

Stone of Kings and Queens

The mythology of Sapphires was that these were the stones of kings, queens, and aristocrats. Helen of Troy, one of the ancient legends, possessed a large star sapphire. This legendary stone was believed to have powers that fulfilled the queen's desires. Arabian kings wore these fascinating gems to protect them from injury during wartime. They were believed to protect the sailors from drowning. 

Association with Loyalty and Trust 

In the 9th century, a blue sapphire pendant was gifted to Charlemagne, the Holy Roman emperor, by a powerful Arabian Caliph as a gift, showing trust. He wore this sapphire amulet to show his devotion to God and was buried with it. It is famously known as the “the Talisman of Charlemagne” in History. 

Astrological Significance of Blue Sapphire Stone

In Vedic astrology, each gemstone have its ruling planet from which it gets its energies. This link of cosmos, gems and zodiacs are highly believed in, in India. Blue sapphire is ruled by the planet Saturn (aka Shani Dev) and is known as Neelam Ratan in Hindi. 

Saturn as per the experts is the planet of Karmic lessons, discipline and responsibility. When Saturn is placed in someone’s birth chart in an unfavourable position it will cause trouble in their life, mostly financial and relationship problems. 

So to remove the Shani Dasha or the harmful effects of Saturn, an original Neelam stone is recommended to wear with proper vedic pooja procedure. It is known to remove these adverse effects and bring blessings instead. It brings luck, enhances personal development, and gives career growth and mental clarity. 

Sapphire - The Traditional Birthstone 

Western astrology considers the sapphire blue stone, the birthstone of September. So, September-borns will benefit the most from wearing it as per the astrologers. It is also considered the best gift for the 45th wedding anniversary. 

In Western cultures, these gems are seen as a symbol of divinity, royalty and nobility. They are pure stones of virtue, wisdom and loyalty. 

Sapphires in Medical Use 

In all the cultures around there is a Superstition of blue sapphire that it can heal you physically as well, not just emotionally. This blue gemstone was thought to increase the lifespan of the wearer. 

And so, the sapphire gemstones were used to heal the sick. Blue sapphire stones in ancient times were placed on the forehead to eliminate headaches, nosebleeds, and nightmares. 

The gemstone protects the wearer from rheumatism, allergies, and even cancer. These were the favorite stones of the Christian clergy, who believed that it boosted the immune system of the wearer. 

Sapphires in Medical Use

Blue Sapphire Symbolism and Beliefs 

Most people choose sapphire engagement rings because the symbolism it perceives is romance and love. The most famous blue sapphire engagement ring of Princess Diana is a perfect example of an heirloom gem passed on to the future generation. The ring was believed to be the epitome of love, loyalty, and commitment.

Blue sapphire has been linked to the throat chakra and activates the third eye chakra. The gem also plays an essential role in feng shui. The dark blue color is connected to self-expression and knowledge. The Royal Blue sapphire stone placed on the front door is intended to bring wealth and blessings. Sapphires are the September birthstone and the 75th anniversary stone. 

Myths Behind the Blue Sapphire Stone 

One common myth about sapphires is that it exists in only one color: blue. The stone occurs in a rainbow of colors. 

Another myth about the stone is that it is not durable. Sapphires rank nine on the Mohs scale of hardness and are thus durable. The perfect durability of the gem means it is resistant to wear and tear. Thus sapphire jewelry is preferred for engagement rings. 

Does blue sapphire bring bad luck to the wearer? This is another common myth about sapphires. These mesmerizing gemstones have fascinated kings, queens, and royal dignitaries with their beauty and symbolism for a long. Natural Neelam gemstones were worn as amulets by people in various cultures. 

From the astrological point of view, blue sapphires benefit the wearer with wealth, power, and luck. For maximum astrological benefits, the stone should be worn on the right finger with proper consultation from the astrologer. 

To Conclude

Blue sapphires are one of the precious gemstones known for their mystical power and spell-binding hue. People in ancient cultures and civilizations believed in the significance of the gem. With the stone's use in therapeutics, and other medical applications, from the stone representing love and romance to that being referred to as the stone of feng shui, these gemstones hold a meaningful worth. The original Neelam stone is preferable for maximum astrological benefits. Navratan, the online gem bazaar, is a one-stop destination to find premium quality certified blue sapphire gemstones.  


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